How do I get a scared bird to step up ?

[Williamsong]

My new Amazon I think trusts me and Will take food and treats and toys from my hand, but when I put my hand near him without a treat or toy he just backs away and will bite me if I try to go any closer. But when I give him him something you would think he was my best companion but without anything in my hand you would think he was a scared abused bird. What can I get him to do to get him on my hand ? And I've tried putting treats on the other side of my hand but he is not having anything to do with it.

Please Help

 

[JerseyWendy]

My first suggestion would be to slow down. You JUST brought him home, and trust doesn't happen over night.

Did you read through the link that was given to you in this thread?
http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/51406-how-do-i-sart-getting-him-trust-me.html

 

[4dugnlee]

Patience is key. It took my BFA Sassy two months to step up to me, and yes, she took food from our hands and acted like she trusted us from the second or third day we had her. Just go at his pace...I know it seems like a long time but once he turns that corner it's so awesome! Sassy was petrified of gloves and sticks/perches so that wasn't an option for me either. Hands...she would bite...gloves and perches...she would viciously attack. She is an awesome bird (with me) now..and yes I have been bitten (3 times in 8 months) since she started stepping up but that was my own fault for not reading her body language. Just give him time and research the forum while you wait... Good luck!

 

[Ann333]

You need to start building trust. A bird who is scared of you wont ever want to step up, so the best thing to do is make him NOT scared of you by building his trust. It takes time and let it happen on the birds time, dont rush it.

 

[BEWolf]

I am in total agreement with JerseyWendy. Slow down and give him time to acclimate to his new home. This is not referring to just his cage but everything that he can see from his cage ,the sounds and smells and you, yourself are all new to him and he is not sure as to how safe it is for him and he needs time to build his trust in you as well as learning his new environment.

 

[miloslave]

You have to keep reminding yourself what this bird's background is. Right now he probably does not trust any human being as he has seen over and over again they are not to be trusted. You know you can be trusted and only wants the best for him, but he needs time to understand this. Take it very slow with him. Follow the tips given to you in JerseyWendy's link and keep reminding yourself to have patience.

Charlie had been with me for 3 months an only now will he really sit still for a scritch. After 3 months for the first time he came down from his cage and carefully got onto my lap by himself. And this is a bird that was not abused but much loved. I remember also saying "my bird hates me" lol.

To do right by you new baby you have to completely give control of the pace over to him. Don't take it personal or get despondent when that pace is much slower than your expectations.

 

[ImmunoGoblin]

Spend lots of time near him, just going about your daily business, talking calmly to him. Let him see what you're doing, sit near his cage and read or watch tv. The more of this calm, passive interaction he has with you, the more he should see that you are friendly and not a threat.

 

[Betrisher]

Building trust is the most fundamental thing you'll do with your bird. It can take days or weeks or even months, depending on your bird's personality, quirks and background. Just be quiet and slow and methodical around him so he can always predict what you're going to do: no sudden movements or loud exclamations (especially if he nips you). Just calm.

When he's ready to step up, here's my favourite method of teaching it:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIaDDSeZKnI"]Parrot Training Workshop Live Demo - Step Up Training with a Macaw - YouTube[/ame]

Notice how unflurried and calm the trainer is and how totally calm the bird is: he's more focussed on his reward than he is on the trainer's hand. Perfect! Best of luck to you and do keep asking questions - we'll always help as much as we can.

 

[Taw5106]

Patience, patience, patience. When I brought Buddy home, food was the key. Don't rush things, let him aclimate to his new home and you. I found if I ate, but before eating my plate, giving Buddy something, he would run to his bowl and eat his meal with me, making happy sounds. Here's an extreme example, I eat a Big Mac, but put warm brown rice with purple hull peas in his bowl. Give you and your Amazon time to adjust. I got Buddy in March 2014, we gelled very well, but understand it's not easy peasy. Food, and a previous relationship with an amazing woman made it easier.